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Hi Mark, first i wanna thank you for my last order, really nice! Now its time for a new knife, its really hard to choose actually my budget is around 400$. Its for home use, i want it to have nice grindings, non sticking, good egde retention, maybe a laser type. Any suggestion? Is it possible to get a custom handle once i have decided wich model i want? I really liked that handle that looked like a broken stick at the end.

Could you please let us know if you'd rather a stainless knife or a carbon knife. Is a stainless-clad carbon knife okay? Being for home use you shouldn't have to worry about reactivity too much, but then again it is a big issue for some people.

Also what edge length are you looking for? Most home users go 210mm while all the pros will say 240mm. It's more about how much space you have to work with at home for determining this.

Your selection will be limited to Wa-handled knives if you want a custom handle (with the broken end, I believe was "Amboyna burl") and it will add $100-$150 (I think) to the knife. You will have to have it custom made by someone like Tim Johnson or Isaiah Schroeder and will add a little bit of time to when you can get the knife. (pending the wood is available)

_________________Shaun Fernandez

With great sharpness comes great responsibility.

karlj86

Post subject: Re: Good knife for home use around $400.

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 8:34 pm

Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2013 4:44 pmPosts: 11Location: Gothenburg, Sweden

Knife Fanatic wrote:Hey Karl,

Could you please let us know if you'd rather a stainless knife or a carbon knife. Is a stainless-clad carbon knife okay? Being for home use you shouldn't have to worry about reactivity too much, but then again it is a big issue for some people.

Also what edge length are you looking for? Most home users go 210mm while all the pros will say 240mm. It's more about how much space you have to work with at home for determining this.

Your selection will be limited to Wa-handled knives if you want a custom handle (with the broken end, I believe was "Amboyna burl") and it will add $100-$150 (I think) to the knife. You will have to have it custom made by someone like Tim Johnson or Isaiah Schroeder and will add a little bit of time to when you can get the knife. (pending the wood is available)

I got stainless knives atm, some Globals, but i always wipe them of after use, so if reactivity is the only thing that I have to "worry" about if I chose a carbon knife i dont think thatsgoing to be a big problem for me. AS or Blue #2 steel seems to be good, but its so hard when i haven't use any of them, can only amagine and read what other says .About the space, i got a normal size kitchen and using 45x31cm cutting board from zwilling. Is that to tiny for a 240mm or is that personal preference?

Knife Fanatic

Post subject: Re: Good knife for home use around $400.

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 10:48 pm

Forum Moderator

Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:34 pmPosts: 1712

You know, I think for the price you will be able to get something that will easily outperform your Globals and still have plenty of money left over for sharpening stones.

Since you are considering dabbling into the world of carbon knives, I would say trying a stainless-clad carbon blade would suit you best for right now. With your cutting board being 31cm, I believe a 210mm gyuto will be best for your home. And a wa-handle that's likely to be replaced.

If you wanted to spend the full budget on 1 knife and get carbon..... my "personal" pick (and this is because I personally think it's one of the best knives on the planet) is the Konosuke Fujiyama Gyuto. The Blue #2 version would probably suit you best at home as it isn't too chippy and holds an edge very well. The White#1 Fujiyama is thicker at the spine but also has better non-stick properties because of this, so it's a little extra weight. http://www.chefknivestogo.com/kofubl2gy21e.html

Again, the Konosuke is my pic pending you want to spend your whole budget AND you don't mind a full carbon blade.

Being a home user, you can pretty much get whatever you want, I wouldn't worry too much about every little detail. What I think would work best is for you to pick out a handful of 210's that you like, then come back here and let us help you decide from there. That way we can help you and ensure you are getting something you truly want.

_________________Shaun Fernandez

With great sharpness comes great responsibility.

Jnani

Post subject: Re: Good knife for home use around $400.

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 5:52 am

Joined: Thu Jun 13, 2013 3:23 amPosts: 88Location: Rockwall, Texas

I love, love, love my Kono Fujiyama White #1 240 mm Gyuto. It is a beautiful, functional work of art that handles like a dream, takes a killer edge, and develops a truly lovely patina. One should be on display in the Museum of Modern Art.

_________________Fall down seven times, get up eight. - Buddhist proverbA man without a good knife is a dead man. - Viking sayingIf we don't point out ignorance and stupidity wherever they occur, ignorance and stupidity will think it's okay. - Gallagher

Adam Marr

Post subject: Re: Good knife for home use around $400.

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 1:28 pm

Forum Moderator

Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:36 pmPosts: 3125

Your cutting board is roughly 12" x 18"....so it's not "tiny" for a 9.5" knife.....but it's not probably what I would consider big enough. 18" x 18" (or larger) would be my ideal, home setting, cutting board for a 240mm knife....but your board will certainly work.

Shaun gave some great recommendations....the Konosuke Fujiyama's are really, really nice.

I would go with the white steel version....that's quite a personal choice though, and the blue steel is very good as well....I just like how well I can sharpen white steels:

....as would several others including the AS Kohetsu, Richmond Laser, Goko, Masakage's, likely the Kamo Mark linked to above (I've not personally seen the knife yet)......there are many great $250(ish) knives out there right now.

Except for all the good words it was something else that also appealed to me, maybe the look, i dunno To bad that the 240mm was out of stock, but anyway I think it will be really nice any how.I have to admit.. maybe its like driving a ferrari and just driving at second gear for my skills and my homecooking But whata hell, u only live once . I picked Kono Fujiyama Blue #2 210mm, cant wait till it arrives!

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